Apex
Thank You from the PTA President - Oct 12, 2024 (click to expand)
Hi El Rincon families!
On behalf of the PTA, I want to thank everyone in the El Rincon community who supported our Apex Program and contributed to its success. Whether you got a lap-marking workout volunteering at the Fun Run, encouraged your students to exhibit all the traits of a future leader (before, during, and after the program!), shared your students’ pledge pages with family and friends, or donated… THANK YOU!! It is because of your efforts that El Rincon PTA is able to do everything we do for our school and scholars.
It is not too late to donate or earn rewards, since pledging is staying open through the weekend! Note: Now that the event is over, you may want to consider flat donations rather than per-lap pledges. This allows donors to be certain of how much they are contributing and allows for hassle-free last-minute donations. PLUS, they will still count toward per-lap prize levels! This includes Apex’s donation to Feeding America's Hunger Relief Programs of up to 20 meals for each student who reaches $10 or more per lap–we currently have over 180 students at this level, which totals over 3600 meals donated through our school’s efforts!
All remaining rewards will be distributed when the Apex team returns for one last visit on Monday, October 14. In case you missed this video and would like to see for yourself why Apex is so popular with our students/teachers/staff/volunteers, here’s a glimpse into one of Apex’s lessons in Ms. Prescod’s TK class with the amazing Mango Mani: https://youtu.be/eEfdA2_Hx_k
Keep Soaring, Rockets!
-Teresa Wong, El Rincon PTA President
FINAL DAILY APEX UPDATE - Oct 10, 2024 (click to expand)
OUR FINAL APEX UPDATE!
Make sure you’re tied!!), and leadership habits! 
Wanna preview what they learned? See how they respond when you ask them these Future Leader prompts:-
Future Leaders are Grateful. We are grateful for…..
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Future Leaders are Respectful. We do things when we are asked the first time…
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Future Leaders show Kindness. If we go the extra mile…
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Future Leaders do what’s right. Day or Night, we…
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Future Leaders stick with it. Show some grit..
Future Leaders are Grateful. We are grateful for you, me, opportunity. Future Leaders are Respectful. We do things when we are asked the first time, every time Future Leaders are Kindness. If we go the extra mile, make someone smile Future Leaders do what’s right. Day or Night, we do what’s right! Future Leaders stick with it. Show some grit, stick with it.DAILY APEX UPDATE - Oct 9, 2024 (click to expand)
It’s your daily APEX UPDATE: Tomorrow is the FUN RUN!!!!!
Last Call Alert! Tonight is the last night BEFORE our APEX Fun Run to get pledges! Here’s what you need to know:Get those pledges in.
If we can jump up as an entire school by $550/unit by Friday, Dr. Hodge will dress up as an
If we double that ($2/lap per student), she will ALSO ride a trike for a day next week!
DAILY APEX UPDATE - Oct 7, 2024 (click to expand)
It’s your daily APEX UPDATE: “STICK WITH IT!”
Exciting Update Alert! Check out our Top 5 Classes! -
Strom $208.89/Lap
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Redmon $196.10/Lap
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Fitts $162.13/Lap
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Glusac $161.08/Lap
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Carpenter $159.33/Lap
Tonight's challenge is the Anything Challenge! If you get a donation of any amount, you're entered into a virtual raffle to win any thank you gift off the top of our gift cart! Who's going to win this one!?
A few quick reminders:-
Volunteers for the Fun Run are still needed for 4th & 5th Grade! Link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8AF28A4F8C34-51289888-apex#/
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Donations are made to the El Rincon PTA, are tax deductible, and may qualify for your employer match!
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You can find all APEX updates here: apex.elrinconpta.org
A Note from the PTA President - Oct 5, 2024 (click to expand)
Hi El Rincon Families!
In case there’s confusion about the APEX lanyards, bracelets, power claps, and chants your students may have come home with this week, we wanted to send a note with some background about the program and why it’s so important. The El Rincon PTA is committed to providing meaningful and substantial support and enrichment for our school through: reimbursements to teachers for classroom supplies, fun and educational field trips, cultural programming such as assemblies and PE takeovers, schoolwide and family events (Fall Carnival, Math Night, Festival of Books, STEAM/Makerfaire Night, Multicultural Passport Night), STEAM activities including 5th Grade’s Pali Science Camp, educational software, and much more.
Every year since 2015, we host APEX, our one major fundraising campaign that is critical in providing these programs to students. Without APEX, we would not be able to raise the substantial funds that allow us to enhance the educational experience of all our students, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and opportunities they deserve. Hosting one big fundraiser allows us to focus our limited volunteer resources on all the student-facing programs and events throughout the year that make our school so special.
The curriculum APEX brings to our school builds leadership skills in our classrooms through daily mini lessons. This year, the focus is on the future, and our students have been learning how future leaders are grateful, show respect, practice kindness, do what’s right, stick with it, and start today. If these sound similar to El Rincon’s SOAR expectations (Strive to do Your Best, Own Your Actions, Act Respectfully, Ready to Learn), it’s no accident–APEX’s curriculum is PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) based, which helps it fit in so well at our PBIS Platinum Award-winning school!
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school. Together, we can make this campaign a success and provide our children with the education and opportunities they deserve. We know that every family’s situation is different, and we appreciate any level of support you can provide. Whether it’s through a donation, volunteering your time, or helping to spread the word, every contribution matters and will help us reach our goal.
Go Rockets!
-Teresa Wong, El Rincon PTA President
Daily APEX Update - Oct 4, 2024 (click to expand)
It’s your Daily APEX UPDATE: “DO WHAT’S RIGHT”
What does it mean to be a FUTURE leader? That’s what our students are learning! The Apex Team is here to bring high-energy lessons about these leadership habits to our students every day leading up to our Apex Fun Run event happening on October 10th! Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped with the skills to shape the FUTURE!
Tonight's challenge is the Out of State challenge and the winning class will get a Sweet Treat party!Daily APEX Update - Oct 3, 2024 (click to expand)
It’s your Daily APEX UPDATE: PRACTICE KINDNESS!
What does it mean to be a FUTURE leader? That’s what our students are learning! The Apex Team is here to bring high-energy lessons about these leadership habits to our students every day leading up to our Apex Fun Run event happening on October 10th! Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped with the skills to shape the FUTURE!
💗Kindness in Action! FUTURE leaders PRACTICE KINDNESS because it shows we're thinking about others! It means we're friendly and gracious, always asking ourselves, "How do others feel? What can I do for them?" Kindness is all about action! We can show kindness at school, at home, and in the world around us! Let's do kind things for those around us without expecting anything in return!
🦘Weekend Challenge Alert! Ready to spread some love and make a difference? Share this post with 5 friends and help us reach our goal! Link your student’s pledge page to show your support for our APEX Fun Run, happening next Thursday, Oct. 10!
🌎 The best part? People from all over the world can pledge and be part of this amazing cause! Let's come together and make a positive impact!
🍕 Huge shout out to last night's challenge winner... Coach Pekarski! Your team earned a water balloon party! Woohoo! Tonight's challenge is BIGGEST JUMP! The class with the biggest jump in pledges earns a Pizza Party! The class with the biggest jump in shares earns a pinata party! Let's do it!
🤔Why are we doing APEX? To support our students at El Rincon. This comes in the form of field trips, cultural programming, schoolwide & family events, steam activities including support for 5th grade pali science camp, school garden, teacher reimbursements for classroom supplies, educational software, and more!
Daily APEX Update - Oct 2, 2024 (click to expand)
It’s your Daily APEX UPDATE: “SHOW RESPECT”.
** REMINDER - DON’T FORGET THAT EVERY STUDENT GETS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FUN RUN NEXT THURSDAY AND THEY WILL RECEIVE AN APEX T-SHIRT ON EVENT DAY. MAKE SURE YOU LOG-IN TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD’S SIZE. **
What does it mean to be a FUTURE leader? That’s what our students are learning! The Apex Team is here to bring high-energy lessons about these leadership habits to our students every day leading up to our Apex Fun Run event happening on October 10th! Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped with the skills to shape the FUTURE!
Respect: The Foundation of Leadership! FUTURE Leaders understand that to make the world a better place, we must SHOW RESPECT! This means treating people in ways that demonstrate we care, through our words and actions. We show respect the first time, every time! We especially show respect to those around us who possess more knowledge and experience, such as our parents and teachers. Let's lead by example and foster a culture of respect in everything we do!
How grown ups can help: We would love for ALL students to log in to their own unique fundraiser page! Dive into all the fundraiser information and enjoy fun videos packed with insights on becoming FUTURE Leaders. Let's aim for 100% participation! Log in now and join the journey toward leadership excellence!
Need help finding your student's access code for MyApexEvent.com? Look no further! Check out the QR Code and Access Code on the VIP Badge, which should have come home after the pep rally. Students within the same family can share an Access Code, making it even easier to get involved! Still can't find it? No worries! Just shoot a note to your child's teacher on ParentSquare, and they'll make sure you get the info you need. Then log in, share your page, and make your pledge! Let's make a difference together!
Drumroll please....Coach Pekarski won last night's challenge! Congrats on earning Saran Wrap! And Coach Carpenter's class was the first to 100% logged in! They get to pie Apex in the Tonight's challenge is Participation!
WHAT’S NEXT?!?!?!? The class with the most students who get either one share or pledge tonight wins a water balloon party! Who's going to win this one!?
Daily APEX UPDATE Oct 1, 2024 (click to expand)
The FUTURE is NOW! Our Apex Fun Run is now open for pledging! It's time to show your support by donating on your student’s pledge page. Simply log in to myapexevent.com using their unique student access code found on the VIP Badge that was sent home today. Check your email for daily updates from your child’s teacher and watch this "Parent Pep Rally Video".
Together, let's rally behind our goal to raise funds for our FIELD TRIPS, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, SCHOOLWIDE & FAMILY EVENTS, STEAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR 5TH GRADE PALI SCIENCE CAMP, SCHOOL GARDEN, TEACHER REIMBURSEMENTS FOR CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE, and make a meaningful impact!
Last night's log-in challenge winner is undetermined! Log in tonight to help your class win! Tonight's challenge is the SHARE CHALLENGE! The class that has the most SHARES on the SHARE WIZARD will get to saran wrap apex to a basketball pole!! Good luck teams! Want to learn how to do a share? Watch this video!! https://vimeo.com/578066737
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PS - Some folks have asked to donate directly. Here is the El Rincon PTA Donation Link: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=bM_D58e9vrxkSmg5MCi2AzhU7SlYIC8x-wVhNfGqYmntOCYUNcBwCFV0UHWbi71zqEFlSBzP7I91S-vZ
As a reminder, direct donations won’t be counted towards your student’s Fun Run.
FAQ (click to expand)
Q: Why do the PTA and other organizations need to do so much fundraising? Doesn’t the school/district pay for everything?
A: Our public schools do not get anywhere near the amount of funding that they need and our students deserve. In fact, California state funding for K-12 education is $10,000 less per student than other top states! There is an enormous gap between the state’s insufficient funding and the high quality education that we desire for our deserving students, and multiple groups are working to fill it in complementary ways.
Q: Does my student have to raise a certain amount to participate?
A: Every single El Rincon student is allowed and encouraged to participate in the fun run! Students whose families cannot or choose not to participate in fundraising still get the in-class lessons, any classroom or school-wide reward that may be earned, and freebies including an Apex t-shirt on the day of the run!
Q: How do I log in to my student’s pledge page?
A: Use the QR code on your student’s lanyard or log in with their access code at myapexevent.com. Can’t find their lanyard or access code? You can ask your teacher or email [email protected].
Q: Where does the money raised go? How much is tax deductible? Does APEX take a percentage of the funds donated?
A: All funds are donated directly to the PTA, making them fully tax deductible. After the event, the PTA pays APEX a pre-negotiated rate for the service provided for both the curriculum and support of all fundraising logistics. The rate is percentage-based, which means APEX has even more reason to send us excellent team members, provide outstanding support, and do their best to ensure a successful program for us. Even after paying APEX for their services rendered, the final amount of funds the PTA raises has been up to 10x more than previous large fundraisers! As for where the money goes, here’s a handy infographic that shows many (but not all) of the things the PTA funded last year. This year, we plan to fund even more!
NEW! Q: Is the PTA funding Pali Camp? I thought the district and CCEF (or 5th Grade Committee) pays for that.
A: For the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, CCUSD and CCEF together covered the cost of Pali Camp for 5th graders in all district elementary schools, but the district ended its contribution before the 2024-25 school year. (Prior to 2022, El Rincon’s funding of Pali Camp was varying and inconsistent, but has included contributions by the PTA.) While CCEF has generously continued their contribution, the cost is quite high and there is a gap in funding. El Rincon PTA and Booster Club are both committed to help the 5th Grade Committee (which also fundraises for other 5th grade activities) cover the remaining cost of Pali Camp.
Q: Why doesn’t the PTA do their own fundraising “fun run”?
A: Running an independent fundraiser without outside paid help is extremely labor-intensive, and our generous volunteers already devote several thousand hours of their schedules per school year! We used to run our own jog-a-thon fundraising program and found we would raise only a percentage of the funds we needed. Since partnering with APEX, we are raising nearly 10 times the amount previously raised! That has increased the number and scope of programs we can bring to El Rincon, providing so much more to enrich our students' learning experience!
Q: Why doesn’t the PTA do what other schools do and ask for a direct donation?
A: Direct asks can be appropriate and effective for some schools, organizations, or specific efforts. However, the PTA has chosen to continue with Apex for two reasons:
- The model is inclusive. All students participate in the lessons and fun regardless of their ability to contribute to the fundraising, just as all students benefit from the outcome of the fundraiser.
- APEX’s fundraising has a track record of success. With a successful APEX Fun Run, we don’t need to scramble for additional fundraising to ensure the continuation and expansion of the programs we provide that are so vital to our students’ educational experience.
Q: Can I donate directly to El Rincon?
A: Yes! You can donate through the PTA directly at this donate.elrinconpta.org. Keep in mind that donations outside of the APEX platform don’t qualify for APEX fundraising gifts for students.
NEW! Q: A pledge seems to be missing from my student's pledge page. What's wrong?
A: All high per lap pledges ($5/lap or greater) are put on hold so they can be verified, in case the donor had actually intended to make a flat donation. If that describes your situation, we suggest the donor checks the phone number and email address they entered in the system for text messages and emails from APEX. If they are unable to find a message from APEX to confirm, please have them email [email protected].
Q: How can I ask more questions?
A: For PTA-related questions, you can email [email protected]. For APEX-specific questions about pledges, technical issues, etc., you can contact APEX at [email protected].